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SUMMARY THINGS TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX Maca (Lepidium Meyenii) is a vegetable in the broccoli family COMPLETE resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru where it has a history of SUMMARY usage as an aphrodisiac. It appears to benefit both genders in this CITATIONS

regard, and is not known to interact with any hormone.

This page features 59 unique references to scientific papers.

Quick Summary:
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii ) is a vegetable in the broccoli family

Confused about what actually Works?

Check Out The Supplement-References Guide (http://examine.com/referfriend resembling a turnip, it is /examinecom/top) grown in Peru where it
has a history of usage as an aphrodisiac. It appears to benefit both genders in this regard, and is not known to interact with any hormone.

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Maca is the common name for Lepidium Meyenii, a plant in the broccoli family. 'Maca Root' tends to refer to the hypocotyl of the plant, which is the part that resembles a turnip. This hypocotyl can be divided into different ecotypes, which are basically colorations of the plant; Red Maca is the Maca plant where the hypocotyl is Red, Black Maca where the hypotoctyl is purplish-black, etc.
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Maca is grown in Peru, exclusively. This actually poses a research problem

SUMMARY prostate hypertrophy) appears to orginate from Peru. Using Policosanol THINGS TO (/supplements/Policosanol/) as an example, sometimes location of the KNOW studies and the general economy surrounding exports of the nutraceutical HOW TO TAKE may pose a role. This issue is a bit more confounded with Maca as it is with HUMAN EFFECT Policosanol (where there is good suspicion to suspect manipulations to MATRIX evidence) as there is no large body of evidence outside or Peru working COMPLETE against Maca. Maca can either have falsified evidence or it could merely be SUMMARY uninteresting for Scientists in Europe or North/South America to study; currently there is no good reason to lean anymore towards one side or the CITATIONS
other. Assuming all evidence is correct, Maca appears to be a potent suppressor basis. The active ingredient is thought to be benzyl glucosinolate in this name of Glucotropaeolin) but this does not differ between Red Maca per se appears to be more effective than Yellow

as the majority of Maca research (especially all research on Red Maca and

Quick of prostate hypertrophy with a potency rivalling finasteride on a per weight Summary:
Maca (Lepidium

regard (common Meyenii ) is a vegetable

in ecotypes the broccoli family while resembling a turnip, it is or Black. grown in Peru where it

has a history of usage as Evidence from all an aphrodisiac. It

parts of the globe suggest and validate Maca as an it affects both genders and does not appear to work estrogen, and both LH and FSH; overall, Maca is

aphrodisiac, where appears to benefit both genders in this regard,

and is not known to to increase interact with any testosterone, hormone. not hormonal

through any hormones (following this though, Maca has repeatedly failed in any way). The mechanisms surrounding Maca and

aphrodisia are unknown, and the bioactives are unknown; all that is known
Edit (/edit/supplements soluble. /Maca/) History (/history

is that the basic root extract works and the compounds appear to be water

/Maca/) Discussion Increases in sperm (/discussion/Maca/) Back to Top compounds appear (http://examine.com /supplements/Maca/)

production have also been noted, and these to be fat soluble. For the purposes of male sexuality, it

may be prudent to take Maca with a meal for both the aphrodisiac compounds as well as the spermatogenesis ones. Beyond the sexual side of things, Maca shows promise in protecting the brain from damage (moderate potency) as a brain booster for healthy persons (weak evidence) and as a bone health agent (moderate animal evidence); it does not appear to interact with glucose or fat metabolism much at all, and its benefits to exercise performance are lacklustre or nonexistent.
Follow this Page (/follow/71/) for updates

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SUMMARY THINGS TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE Also Known As HUMAN EFFECT Lepidium meyenii, Maca root, MATRIX Peruvian Ginseng COMPLETE SUMMARY Things to Note CITATIONS

Things to Know

Is a Form of
Testosterone Booster (/supplements /Testosterone+Booster/) Aphrodisiac (/supplements /Aphrodisiac/) Food Product (/supplements /Food+Product/)

Maca Root may increase sexual desire, but it otherwise non-stimulatory Quick Maca Root does not taste nice, a Summary: very dirt-like grassy taste; capsules Maca (Lepidium are generally better liked than Meyenii ) is a vegetable powders for the uninitiated
in the broccoli family resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru where it has a history of usage as an aphrodisiac. It appears to benefit both genders in this regard, and is not known to interact with any hormone.

Stacks Part Of
Aphrodisiac (/stacks /aphrodisiac.html)

Caution Notice
Examine.com Medical Disclaimer ()

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How to Take (recommended dosage, active amounts,

other details)

/supplements/Maca/)

Currently, all human studies that show benefit use 1,500-3,000mg Maca daily and usually alongside food; this appears to be well-tolerated and effective, with the higher dose sometimes being more effective. If looking for maca extracts, a water or an ethyl acetate extract seem to be recommended. Animal studies tend to use Maca in the dosage range of 1,000-2,200mg/kg bodyweight which correlates to an estimated human dose of:
10.9-24g of the maca vegetable for a 150lb person 14.5-32g of the maca vegetable for a 200lb person
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18.1-40g of the maca vegetable for a 250lb person

SUMMARY which is treated and consumed as a food product rather than a dietary THINGS TO supplement. KNOW HOW TO TAKE HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX COMPLETE SUMMARY CITATIONS

These higher dosage ranges tend to reflect traditional usage of maca,

Human Effect Matrix

The Human Effect Matrix looks at human studies (excluding animal/petri-dish studies) to tell you what effect Maca has in your body, and how strong these Quick effects are.

Summary:

Maca (Lepidium
GRADE LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Meyenii ) is a vegetable

in the broccoli family

resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru where it has a history of usage as Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo an aphrodisiac. It controlled

Robust research conducted with repeated double blind clinical trials

B C D

appears to benefit both genders in this regard, Single double blind study or multiple cohort studies and is not known to interact with any hormone.

Uncontrolled or observational studies only

EditLEVEL (/edit/supplements OF EVIDENCE /Maca/) () History (/history /Maca/) Discussion (/discussion/Maca/) Estrogen (/topics/Estrogen/) B Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Maca/)
EFFECT

CHANGE ()

MAGNITUDE OF EFFECT SIZE ()

SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

COMMENTS

100%
See all 3 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Estrogen&selection=all)

No significant influence on circulating estrogen noted

Luteinizing Hormone (/topics /Luteinizing+Hormone/)

100%
See all 3 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Luteinizing%20Hormone&selection=all)

No significant influence on luteinizing hormone noted with maca ingestion

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LEVEL OF EVIDENCE () MAGNITUDE OF EFFECT SIZE ()

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SUMMARY Testosterone (/topics B TO THINGS /Testosterone/) KNOW HOW TO TAKE HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX Follicle-Stimulating Hormone B COMPLETE (/topics/FollicleStimulating+Hormone/) SUMMARY CITATIONS
EFFECT

CHANGE ()

SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

COMMENTS

100%
See all 4 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Testosterone&selection=all)

No significant influences on testosterone in any tested demographic

100%
See all 3 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Follicle-Stimulating%20Hormone& selection=all)

No significant influence on follicle stimulating hormone noted

Libido (/topics/Libido/) B Quick Summary:

Maca (Lepidium Meyenii ) is a vegetable in the broccoli family resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru where it has a history of usage as an aphrodisiac. It appears to benefit both genders in this regard, and is not known to interact with any Symptoms of Menopause C hormone. (/topics

100%
Notable
See all 3 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Libido&selection=all)

An increase in libido appears to occur following Maca ingestion, which is notable as it appears to influence all demographics and is not associated with systemic hormones

100%
Minor
See study (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Symptoms%20of%20Menopause& selection=all)

One study noted reduced symptoms associated with menopause; libido was possibly independently increased, but anxiety and depression appear to also be reduced.

/Symptoms+of+Menopause/)
Edit (/edit/supplements /Maca/) History (/history /Maca/) Discussion (/discussion/Maca/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Maca/)

Depression (/topics /Depression/)

Minor

50%
See 2 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Depression&selection=all)

May reduce depression in postmenopausal women, unlikely to occur in otherwise healthy youth

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SUMMARY Anxiety (/topics/Anxiety/) C TO THINGS KNOW HOW TO TAKE HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX COMPLETE SUMMARY Prolactin (/topics/Prolactin/) C CITATIONS
EFFECT

CHANGE ()

SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

COMMENTS

50%
Minor
See 2 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Anxiety&selection=all)

An anxiety reducing effect has been noted in postmenopausal women but not otherwise healthy young men

100%
See 2 studies (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71&

No significant influence on prolactin levels

Quick Summary: Erections (/topics/Erections/) C

Maca (Lepidium Meyenii ) is a vegetable in the broccoli family resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru where it has a history of usage as an aphrodisiac. It appears to benefit both genders in this regard,
Minor

effect=Prolactin&selection=all)

100%
See study (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Erections&selection=all)

An increase in erection frequency has been noted in men, likely related to the libido enhancing properties

Subjective Well-Being (/topics C known and is not to /Subjective+Well-Being/) interact with any
hormone.

100%
Minor
See study (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Subjective%20Well-Being& selection=all)

An increase in well being has been noted

Edit (/edit/supplements /Sexual+Function/) /Maca/) History (/history /Maca/) Discussion (/discussion/Maca/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Maca/)

Sexual Function (/topics

Minor

100%
See study (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Sexual%20Function&selection=all)

An improvement in SSRI induced sexual dysfunction has been noted with Maca supplementation

Anaerobic Running Capacity (/topics /Anaerobic+Running+Capacity/)

100%
See study (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Anaerobic%20Running%20Capacity& selection=all)

No significant influence on anaerobic running capacity associated with Maca

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SUMMARY Rate of Perceived Exertion C TO THINGS (/topics KNOW /Rate+of+Perceived+Exertion/) HOW TO TAKE HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX COMPLETE Heart Rate (/topics C SUMMARY /Heart+Rate/) CITATIONS
EFFECT

CHANGE ()

SCIENTIFIC CONSENSUS

COMMENTS

100%
See study (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Rate%20of%20Perceived%20Exertion& selection=all)

No significant influence on the rate of perceived exertion associated with Maca root

100%
See study (/show_rubric_effect.php?id=71& effect=Heart%20Rate&selection=all)

No significant influence on heart rate noted with Maca ingestion

Quick Summary:
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii ) is a vegetable in the broccoli family

Studies Excluded from Consideration

Confounded with Uncaria guianensis 300mg[1]

resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru where it

has a history ofJoin usage as Maca Discussion (/discussion/Maca/) Disagree? the an aphrodisiac. It appears to benefit both genders in this regard, and is not known to interact with any hormone.

Complete Summary

Edit (/edit/supplements Table of Contents: /Maca/) History (/history /Maca/) Discussion 1. Sources (/discussion/Maca/) and Composition Back to Top 1.1. Sources (http://examine.com 1.2. Composition /supplements/Maca/)

2. Neurology 2.1. Aphrodisia 2.2. Anxiety and Depression 2.3. Memory and Cognition 2.4. Neuroprotection 3. Cardiovascular Health 3.1. Blood Pressure 4. Interactions with Glucose Metabolism 4.1. Absorption 4.2. Interventions 5. Exercise and Performance
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5.1. Aerobic Performance

SUMMARY6.1. Interventions THINGS TO 7. Interactions with Hormones KNOW 7.1. Testosterone 7.2. Estrogen HOW TO TAKE 7.3. Follicle-Stimulating Hormone HUMAN EFFECT 7.4. Luteinizing Hormone MATRIX 8. Interactions with Bone Metabolism COMPLETE 9. Interactions with Organ Systems SUMMARY9.1. Liver CITATIONS9.2. Prostate
9.3. Testicles 10. Safety and Toxicology 10.1. General Quick Summary:10.2. Pregnancy
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii ) is a vegetable in the broccoli family resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru where it

6. Immunology and Inflammation

1. Sources and Composition

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/M aca/?section=Sources+and+Composition)

has a history of usage as an aphrodisiac. It

1.1. Sources appears to benefit both genders in this regard,

hormone.

and is not known to interact withLepimedium any genus

'Maca' is the common word to refer to the plant Lepidium Meyenii, of the and the famile of Brassicaceae; this family is that which

also holds cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, collard greens, and mustard. The plants most closely related to Maca (taxonomically) are rapeseed, mustard, turnip, black mustard, cabbage, water cress.[2] Maca has been traditionally used as a vitality and fertility in the Andean region of Peru and has to

Edit (/edit/supplements /Maca/) History (/history garden cress, and /Maca/) Discussion folk medicine for (/discussion/Maca/)

been used in both genders as well as animals,[2][3] and is sometimes Back to Top (http://examine.com referred to as Peruvian Ginseng despite not bearing any resemblance
/supplements/Maca/)

the Panax ginseng (/supplements/Panax+ginseng/) plant of its family.[2] It

is grown exclusively in the Andean Region of Peru at a height level of 4000-4500m above sea level[4] as its growing conditions require winds, cold, and ample sunlight[2] and possibly being more conducive to growth, as one study noted growth rates were faster with lower temperatures.[5] Interestingly it appears Maca may reverse the decrease in spermatogenesis that occurs at this height range (in rats).[6]

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Maca is grown exclusively in one height region of Peru, where it is historically used as a fertility enhancing agent. It belongs to a similar plant family as Broccoli SUMMARY and other Brassica vegetables

THINGS TO KNOW When used as a food product, the bulbous hypocotyls (stem-like HOW TO TAKE protuberances) are dried and then eaten to levels upwards of 20g daily HUMAN EFFECT with no reported side-effects associated with this method, and when dried MATRIX hypocotyls can be stored for years.[2] Maca is frequently boiled and drunk COMPLETE as a juice, due to the storage form of dried hypocotyls being too hard to SUMMARY bite. Modern usage of maca tends to be capsules. CITATIONS
Nutritionally, Dried Maca (vegetable, not supplement) is:[2][4]
10.4% water content unless otherwise dehydrated[4]

Quick 10.2-16% protein by weight, with a small sarcosine content (0.70mg/100g) Summary:
59% carbohydrate
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii ) is a vegetable

2.2% lipid (of which 40.1% are saturated and 52.7% unsaturated)

8.5% fibers in the broccoli family

resembling a turnip, it is Minerals are calcium (150mg/100g), copper (5.9mg/100g), zinc (3.8mg/100g), and grown in Peru where it [4]

potassium (2050mg/100g) and the overall Ash content is 4.6%

[4]

has a history of usage as Vitamins an aphrodisiac. It such as Vitamin C (/supplements/Vitamin+C/) (8mg/100g), Riboflavin

(650mcg/100g), appears to benefit both and Thiamine (280mcg/100g) genders in this regard, Phenolic compounds (at around 5.5-7.6mg/g, poor content)[7] and is not known to Essential Oils (aromas) with most being Phenyl acetonitrile at 85.9%[8] interact53 with any
hormone.

Maca tends to have its hypocotyls (protuberances that resemble turnips) as the part of the plant commonly eaten, and in this form it is mostly carbohydrates and fibers with a hard texture Edit (/edit/supplements
/Maca/) History (/history /Maca/) Discussion (/discussion/Maca/) There are over

13 different variants of Maca known (all being referred to as which are produced differently depending on cultivar, to Black; the most common is Yellow consisting of

Back to Top Lepidium meyenii) (http://examine.com

ranging from White /supplements/Maca/)

47.8% and is the most commercially desirable.[9] These variants are named due to the coloration of the hypocotyls being visibly different.[2] These variants are sometimes referred to as ecotypes of Maca.[10] In comparative studies, Black Maca appears to be more neuroprotective than Yellow or Red[9] and produce the greatest benefit on spermatogenesis.[11] Red Maca, but not Black or Yellow, may reduce prostate size.[12]

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SUMMARY THINGS TO 1.2. Composition KNOW Maca asTAKE a supplement tends to have the vegetable components extracted HOW TO and thus does not possess proteins, carbohydrates, or lipids no fiber. The HUMAN EFFECT bioactives that are left in Maca tend to be: MATRIX COMPLETE Macaridine[13] and Maca alkaloids that are exclusive to Maca[2] SUMMARY Macaenes which are Maca-exclusive unsaturated fatty acids[14][15] and include CITATIONS Macamides, which are amine derivatives of the Macaenes;[16] some include
n-benzylhexadecanamide and n-benzyloctadecanamide[16] and range from 0.0016 to 0.0123% dry weight (low content)[16] Lepidine A and B, two imidazole alkaloids with the names 1,3-dibenzylQuick 4,5-dimethylimidazolium chloride and 1,3-dibenzyl-2,4,5-trimethylimidazolium Summary:
Maca (Lepidium
[17]

Different 'variants' of Maca based on the color of the hypotocyl, they are similar for the most part but on some properties they may be more specialized.

chloride; respectively

[10] Glucosinolates Meyenii ) is a vegetable such as glucoalyssin (0.6-0.9% total glucosinolates ), [10] glucosinalbin in the broccoli family (0.02-0.028% total glucosinolates ), glucobrassicanapin,

resembling a turnip, it is glucoaubrietin (aka. glucolimnathin; 6-6.2% total glucosinolates), glucobrassicin, grown in Peru where it 4-methoxyglucobrassicin, glucotropaeolin (80-90% total glucosinolates[18][10]),[10][2] has a history of usage as and Benzyl glucosinolate (7.01-17.5mg/100g dry weight of Red Maca)[19] with an aphrodisiac. It appears to benefit both with no significant differences between ecotypes.[18][10] genders in this regard,

aromatic glucosinolates consisting of up to 99% of total glucosinolates by weight

[15]

7 alkamides and is not known to interact with any

hormone.

Methyltetrahydro--Carboline molecules such as MTCA[20] in the butanolic fraction[21] Beta-Sitosterol[13]

Edit (/edit/supplements /Maca/) History (/history /Maca/) Discussion (/discussion/Maca/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Maca/)

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The alkaloid known as macaridine is said to be the main bioactive, as well as some glucosinolate content; the macaene fatty acids are unique to Maca, but SUMMARY their content as well as the amount of their derivatives in Maca (the macamides) THINGS TO may be too low to be the main bioactives

KNOW HOW TO TAKE In reality, the active components and what they do in Maca are not too well HUMAN EFFECT known; mostly estimations MATRIX COMPLETE SUMMARY CITATIONS Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Maca/?section=Neurology)

2. Neurology

2.1. Aphrodisia Quick Mechanistically, one study investigating whether there was a correlation Summary:
Maca (Lepidium

between hormones and aphrodisia failed to find any relation and failed to hormones in the study population despite aphrodisia mediated by hormones.[22] These aphrodisiac effects this study suggested that the mechanisms of Maca on

find ) any spike of Meyenii is a vegetable

in being the broccoli family present;

resembling a turnip, it is aphrodisia are not grown in Peru where it

also appear to be has a history of usage as independent of the ability of Maca to induce locomotor anactivity, aphrodisiac. It where in a study on rats finding benefits to mounting and
appears to benefit both intromission latency genders in this regard,

and the intercopulatory interval (not dose dependent) latency (dose-dependent up to 75mg/kg) there

and is well not known to as as post-ejaculatory interact with any hormone.

was no apparent correlation with the observed increase in locomotion.[23] The active components may be the macamide (lipid) component due to a lipid extract being bioactive.[14]

Edit (/edit/supplements /Maca/) History (/history

Mechanisms /Maca/) Discussion are independent of any hormones usually involved in aphrodisia (/discussion/Maca/) estrogen, luteinizing hormone, etc.) and of other neural effects of (testosterone, Back to Top Maca (http://examine.com
/supplements/Maca/)

One rat study published comparing acute effects of Maca against chronic dosing noted that, after consumption of 25 or 100mg/kg aqueous extract in mice, that a single dose 30 minute before sexual activity failed to increase mounting or ejaculatory parameters in mice.[24] Measurements after a week started to trend towards significant improvements, but at a week and after 21 days these differences failed to be statistically significant.[24]
Maca root appears to exert aphrodisia in a 'build-up' manner, with more efficacy coming from repeated doses and independent of timing around sexual activity

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In otherwise healthy men taking 1.5g or 3g Maca daily, Aphrodisia (by

SUMMARY respectively. This study noted 16.6% of placebo reporting aphrodisia at THINGS week 4,TO which did not occur at either week 8 or 12.[22] This aphrodisiac KNOW effect has also been noted in experienced athletes that were otherwise HOW TO TAKE healthy, as 2g of a 5:1 extract of Maca taken for 2 weeks was associated HUMAN EFFECT with improved scores on a sexuality rating scale (Sexual Desire MATRIX Inventory[25]), with more improvement seen with dyadic sexual desire COMPLETE (sexual desire towards others) rather than solitary sexual desire.[26] SUMMARY In men with mild erectile dysfunction, both Maca (2400mg) and placebo CITATIONS resulted in significant improvements in scores on the IIEF-5 (rating scale
for erectile dysfunction) but the degree of increase seen with Maca was

self-report) is increased by 24.4%, 40%, and 42.2% at 4, 8, and 12 weeks;

Quick potent in those with poorer scores.[27] Summary:

Maca (Lepidium One trial has in the broccoli family Meyenii ) is a vegetable

significantly better than that seen with placebo; Maca appeared to be more

been conducted using Maca root where depressed

outpatients (17 women, 3 men) were recruited over a period of 10 months

that met the conditions for anti-depressant induced sexual dysfunction resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru where it or 3g Maca daily over 12 weeks noted that according to using either 1.5g
has a history of usage[28] as the MGH-SFQ an aphrodisiac. It

and ASEX[29] questionnaires there was significant occurring in one survey

improvement across both dosage groups, with more efficacy appears to benefit both genders this regard, high in dose Maca.[30] Libido reached significance according to
and is not known to (ASEX), and self-reported interact with any hormone.

sexual enjoyment was increased.

[30]

In human interventions, appears to show statistical significance in a variety of different population subsets
Edit (/edit/supplements /Maca/) History (/history

2.2. Anxiety /Maca/) Discussion and (/discussion/Maca/)

/supplements/Maca/) [9]

Depression

Female Back to Top rats subject to a forced swim test given 1g/kg Maca not that Maca (http://examine.com possesses anti-depressant effects, reducing immobility to 76.4-87.4% of baseline. This study also noted that although Yellow and Red Maca exerted anti-depressant effects, that Black Maca was slightly more effective.[9] One rat study suggested anxiolytic effects due to performance on an elevated maze plus test.[24] A reduction of both depression and anxiety has been noted in postmenopausal women ingesting 3.5g Maca daily for 6 weeks, as assessed by the respective subscales on the Greene Climacteric Scale.[31]

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SUMMARY THINGS TO 2.3. Memory and Cognition KNOW A comparative HOW TO TAKEstudy in ovariectomized female rats using 1g/kg Maca (Red, Yellow,EFFECT and Black) all three forms appeared to improve cognition as HUMAN assessed by a water finding task with Black outperforming the other MATRIX variants.[9] A similar task was employed with Black Maca in a test to see COMPLETE neuroprotective effects against scopalamine, and it was found that the SUMMARY Maca treated groups trended (nonsignificant) to outperform control.[32] CITATIONS
Is showing trends to improve cognition in otherwise normal rats, but is not overly significant and mechanisms unknown

Human studies are mixed, but Maca might aid in anxiety and depression assuming a pre-existing stressor or condition

Quick Summary:

In the study Maca (Lepidium

injected scopalamine (which induces acetylcholinesterase) it suppressed this increase in AChE to a level not

Meyenii is a vegetable was )found that Maca in the broccoli family

significantly different than placebo[32] and was able to decrease an resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru in where it increase AChE in menopausal rats.[33] No influence was found on
has a history of usage as Monoamine Oxidase an aphrodisiac. It

activity[32] which has been replicated,[33] this some -carboline inhibition

observation a surprising result due to presence of appears to benefit is both [20] genders in this regard, that have been associated with MAO compounds
and is not known[34] to previously. interact with any hormone.

2.4. Neuroprotection
One in vitro test with neurons isolated from Crayfish noted dose-dependent

Edit (/edit/supplements protection against hydrogen peroxide when neurons were pretreated 3 /Maca/) History (/history hours before H2O2 treatment, this pentane extract of Maca possessed an /Maca/) Discussion EC50 of approximately 2.8g/mL and exerted 88% protection when (/discussion/Maca/) [35] Back to Top

30g/mL was used.

When tested in vivo, an injection of 3mg/kg

(http://examine.com

bodyweight pentane /supplements/Maca/)

Maca extract significantly reduced the infarct size from

ischemia (indicative of protective effects) to 58.6% the size of control; higher doses (10, 30mg/kg) actuall exacerbated damage.[35] A study conducted with varying doses (0.125, 0.25, 0.5, and 1g/kg) Black Maca in a model of Alcohol (/supplements/Alcohol/)-induced memory impairment when both were administrated orally for 28 days noted that all doses of Black Maca were able to abolish the increase in escape latency (time required for the mice to remove itself from the maze) seen with alcohol, and trended to improve time relative to control.[36] Protection against scopalamine has been noted with Black Maca,[32] this
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study fed both the aqueous (0.5, 2g/kg) and hydroalcoholic (0.25, 1g)

SUMMARY prior to testing, and it was demonstrated that Maca administration was able THINGS TOthe scopalamine-induced reduction in performance (via Moris to prevent KNOW Maze test) with no difference between extracts or doses, but the lower HOW TO TAKE doses of each extract trending to outperform control.[32] HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX Appears to be a potent neuroprotective agent, and Black Maca appears to be more neuroprotective than other ecotypes; currently not known why COMPLETE SUMMARY CITATIONS

extracts for 35 days and injected the acetylcholinergic toxin scopalamine

3.
Quick Cardiovascular Summary:
Maca (Lepidium 3.1. Blood

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Maca/?section=Cardiovascular+Health)

Health

Pressure
study suggests that Maca may possess blood pressure via ACE inhibitory activities in a dose-dependent

Meyenii ) is a vegetable

one in Currently, the broccoli family

resembling a turnip, it is reducing properties grown in Peru where it

[7] That manner, with the has a history of usage as heat-treated extract outperforming the raw extract. anbeing aphrodisiac. It one preliminary toxicological study with 0.6g Maca daily noted a said, appears to benefit both small but significant genders in this regard,

increase in diastolic blood pressure.[37]

and is not known to interact with any Interactions with cardiovascular healthy currently not known hormone.

Edit (/edit/supplements /Maca/) History (/history /Maca/) Discussion (/discussion/Maca/) Back to Top (http://examine.com

4.

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Maca/?section=Interactions+with+Glucose+Metabolism)

Interactions with Glucose Metabolism

/supplements/Maca/)

4.1. Absorption
Maca has been tested to its ability to inhibit carbohydrate uptake in the intestines, and an in vitro study assessing both raw and toasted extracts of maca noted that (in inhibiting -glucosidase and -amylase) noted that

both extracts inhibited raw maca inhibited -glucosidase in the 20-40% range (fairly weak) while raw maca weakly inhibited -amylase (approximately 10%) while toasted maca failed to inhibit -amylase.[7] These results were not correlated to the polyphenolic content of Maca, which was poor.

4.2. Interventions
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One rat study using Maca at 1% food weight in an animal model of heredity

SUMMARY that Maca was able to reduce plasma cholesterole (LDL-C and vLDL-C) as THINGS well as TO triglycerides, and glucose was reduced (thought to be secondary to KNOW the reduction in triglycerides).[38] This study used 0.02% rosiglitazone as HOW TO TAKE an active control, which outperformed Maca.[38] HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX Overall, nothing too spectacular known about Maca and its interactions with Glucose metabolism COMPLETE SUMMARY CITATIONS

high triglycerides (worsened by a sucrose-rich diet for two weeks) noted

5. Exercise and
Quick Performance Summary:
Maca (Lepidium 5.1. Aerobic

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Maca/?section=Exercise+and+Performance)

Performance
using 8 experienced endurance cyclists with no changes aside from a single rest day prior to the trial, high bioactivity of 10g) taken for 2 weeks prior to reduction in time to complete the trial from

Meyenii ) is a vegetable

pilot study in In the one broccoli family

resembling turnip, is to theiradiet orit training grown in Peru where it

dose Maca (2g as of a 5:1 extract; has a history of usage anthe aphrodisiac. It noted a significant trial ride
appears to benefit both 57.62+/-3.14min genders in this regard,

to 56.56+/-2.68min (1.84% reduction) when comparing

baseline to to post-supplementation; placebo tended to improve but it failed and is not known interact with any to reach significance.[26] When comparing the performance of placebo and
hormone.

Maca at the time trail rather than against themselves from baseline, there were no significant differences.[26]

Edit (/edit/supplements /Maca/) History (/history Currently weak evidence for assessing the interaction of Maca and physical /Maca/) Discussion activity, with the preliminary results suggesting nothing special (/discussion/Maca/) Back to Top (http://examine.com /supplements/Maca/)

6.
6.1. Interventions

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Maca/?section=Immunology+and+Inflammation)

Immunology and Inflammation

One comparative study has been conducted with a polyherbal blend of Maca (1500mg) with 300mg Uncaria guianensis against 1500mg Glucosamine (/supplements/Glucosamine/) sulfate, and although both treatments were associated with significant improvement rates the polyherbal blend was associated with less 'rescue' treatment (paracetamol
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given to participants and to be consumed when joint pain was not

SUMMARY producing the polyherbal blend.[1] THINGS TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE 7. Interactions Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Maca/?section=Interactions+with+Hormones) HUMAN EFFECT with Hormones MATRIX COMPLETE 7.1. Testosterone SUMMARY 1.5g and 3g of Maca for 12 weeks failed to increase circulating testosterone CITATIONS [39]
levels in healthy men. These same doses have been used in a 12 week study by other authors in men, and it was noted an increase in aphrodisia (as assessed by self-report) that reached 24.4%, 40%, and 42.2% of the Quick subjects in Maca at 4, 8, and 12 weeks (respectively) while placebo had no Summary: increase at Maca (Lepidium weeks 8 and 12; this increase in aphrodisia was independent of did not differ between groups.[22] No androgenic effects 6 weeks.[31] to have significant androgenic interactions beyond as this study failed to note any interactions of
Meyenii ) is a vegetable testoterone, which in the broccoli family

alleviated by treatment).[1] This study recieved funding from the company

resembling a turnip, it is 3.5g daily grown in Maca Peru where it for

or increases in testosterone are seen in postmenopausal women taking

has a history of usage as does anMaca aphrodisiac. It not appear

appears to benefit both circulating testosterone, genders in this regard, and is not known to interact with any

Maca components with the androgen receptor.[40]

hormone. No current study has established a testosterone enhancing ability of Maca or its

components
Edit (/edit/supplements Onerat study using /Maca/) History (/history /Maca/) Discussion 2.2g Maca extract (/discussion/Maca/)

lead to induce testicular damage noted that, while unable to prevent the decline in testosterone similar dose of 2g/kg, which is comparable to

(boiled hypocotyls) was able to preserve

spermatogenesis that it was Back to Top (http://examine.com levels induced by lead.[41] A

/supplements/Maca/)

traditional usage of Maca, has also failed to influence testosterone levels in otherwise healthy rats.[42] Interestingly, one case study noted that they detected elevated testosterone in a female taking Maca but that this was attributed to Maca interfering with the testing protocol; a higher precision test revealed a normal testosterone level.[43]

7.2. Estrogen
Circulating estrogen was not influenced with 1.5g or 3g Maca daily for 12 weeks in otherwise healthy men,[39] and these results have been replicated
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elsewhere with similar dosing and length of

study[22]

and in

SUMMARY THINGS TO no evidence to suggest that it works via increasing estrogen levels in Currently vivo KNOW HOW TO TAKE HUMAN EFFECT One study using MCF-7 breast cancer cells (a cell line responsive to MATRIX estrogen) noted that Maca at 0.1-100ug/mL was able to induce proliferation COMPLETE and induced notable estrogenicity at 100-200ug/mL concentration, but was SUMMARY less potent than physiological concentrations of estrogen;[44] the potency was comparable to that of Silymarin from Milk Thistle (/supplements CITATIONS
/Milk+Thistle/).[44] Estrogenic effects have been seen in vivo when ovariectomized rats were given 0.24g/kg ethanolic extract of Maca

postmenopausal women using 3.5g daily for 6 weeks.[31]

Quick (equivalent to 1.25g/kg root extract), where the measured uterine weight Summary: after 28 weeks was 121.9% of ovariectomized control but 59.5% that of
Maca (Lepidium non-menopausal Meyenii ) is a vegetable in the broccoli family

control.[45] Another study using a lower dose of three have also failed to be observed in other in vitro

variants of Maca for 4 weeks failed to establish estrogenic effects,[46] and assays.

resembling a turnip, it is estrogenic effects grown in Peru where it [31] has a history of usage as an aphrodisiac. It

appears to benefit both for Maca acting directly as a phytoestrogen, but evidence is Some evidence genders in this regard, currently mixed and practical relevance of this information unknown and is not known to interact with any hormone. 7.3. Follicle-Stimulating

Hormone

In a 12 week double blind study using Maca at either 1.5g or 3g of Maca taken in three divided doses and a third group taking 1.5g as a single Edit (/edit/supplements /Maca/) History (/history dose, the men in this study had no difference based on timing (and thus
/Maca/) Discussion both 1.5g groups (/discussion/Maca/)

were pooled together) and there were no significant hormone;[39] similar results have been

Back to Top influence on follicle-stimulating (http://examine.com /supplements/Maca/)

found in postmenopausal women ingesting 3.5g Maca daily for 6 weeks.[31]

7.4. Luteinizing Hormone

A 12 week study in healthy men taking either 1.5g or 3g of Maca daily failed to significantly influence circulating luteinizing hormone levels at 4, 8, or 12 weeks in time.[39] A lack of effect has also been observed following 3.5g daily ingestion for 6 weeks in post-menopausal women.[31]

8.
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Interactions with Bone Metabolism

SUMMARY In a model of ovariectomized female rats (menopause research model), THINGS TO Maca at 0.096 or 0.24g/kg ethanolic extract (0.5 and 1.25g/kg dry root KNOW extract; respectively) for 28 weeks noted that 0.096g/kg acted to preserve HOW TO TAKE bone mineral density relative to control (tended to be nonsignificant) while HUMAN EFFECT 0.24g/kg increased femur diameter and calcium content to a greater level MATRIX than control while normalizing bone mineral density to that of control.[45] It COMPLETE is possible that this was secondary to estrogenic actions, as this study SUMMARY noted an increase in uterine weight of the ovariectomized rats fed 0.24g/kg Maca.[45] CITATIONS

Quick 9. Summary:
Maca (Lepidium Meyenii ) is a vegetable in 9.1. the broccoli family Liver

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Maca/?section=Interactions+with+Organ+Systems)

Interactions with Organ Systems

and water extracts of Maca appear to have either no function at 0.1-10ug/mL concentrations as

resembling a turnip, it is In vitro , the methanolic grown in Peru where it

has a history of on usage as influence hepatocyte an aphrodisiac. It

assessed byboth MTT, LDH, and AST leakage (indicative of membrane appears to benefit genders in this regard, permeability) and when incubated for a prolonged period of time (72h)
and is not known to actually acted interact with any

to reduce leakage of LDH and AST to 61.2% and 55.6% of

control; hormone.

respectively, with concentrations over 1ug/mL being significantly

protective of LDH leakage.[44] However, this in vitro study appears to oppose preliminary human toxicological data where the only side-effect
Edit (/edit/supplements seen with 0.6g Maca taken daily for 90 days was a slight increase in serum /Maca/) History (/history [37] ASTlevels. /Maca/) Discussion The reason for this discrepancy is not know, but is likely not (/discussion/Maca/) mediated by oxidation as Maca was demonstrated in this study to possess Back to Top relatively weak (http://examine.com

anti-oxidant properties, as a DPPH assay indicated that the extract had an IC50 value of 3.46+/-0.16mg/mL and

/supplements/Maca/) water and methanolic

0.71+/-0.10mg/ml, respectively.[44] Maca has been associated with an increase in liver Superoxide Dismutase levels as well as increased serum reduced gluathione, although TBARS and CD (markers of lipid peroxidation) in serum are unaffected.[38]
Unclear effects on the liver

9.2. Prostate
The variant of Red Maca appears to be able to suppress prostatic growth,
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where Black and Yellow are ineffective at doing

so.[12]

In this study, rated

SUMMARY smaller ventral prostatic weight relative to control, and over a period of 14 THINGS and 42 TO days Maca normalized the increase seen in prostatic weight KNOW following Testosterone (/topics/Testosterone/) injections, the increase in HOW TO TAKE seminal vesicle weight was also abolished.[12] HUMAN EFFECT The active ingredient may be benzyl glucosinolate, as the HPLC peak of MATRIX Red Maca in the first study coincided with these components[12] and a COMPLETE laster study established a dose-dependent decrease in prostate size when SUMMARY testing benzylglucosinolates at 0.02-0.08mg/mL[19] and replicated the CITATIONS
reduction in prostate size with 0.1mg glucosinolate orally over 14 days (although this study did not find complete abolishment of the increase).[19] This study also noted that extracts delivering 0.1mg benzylglucosinolate

given 2g/kg of an aqueous extract of Red Maca daily for a week had

Quick (exact extract given not listed) was more effective in suppressing prostatic Summary:
Maca (Lepidium [19] vesicles (opposite Meyenii ) is a vegetable in second the broccoli family study resembling a turnip, it is positive control and grown in Peru where it

weight gain than 0.1mg finasteride, without affecting the weight of seminal the results observed previously with 2g/kg[12]). A has been conducted with Red Maca using finasteride as a in rats comparing Red Maca (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5g/kg) with 0.1g/kg reaching significance, while a

has a history of usage confirmed doseas dependence an aphrodisiac. It appears to benefit both 0.5g/kg Red Maca genders in this regard, and not known to inissuppressing interact with[47] any hormone.

second part of the study using 0.6mg/kg finasteride noted that 0.1 and (0.64% benzylglucosinolate content) was more effective prostate growth without influencing seminal vesicle

weight.

The authors hypothesized a mechanism of action downstream of

DHT conversion.[47] An increase of testosterone in these rats are not seen with Maca, which is normally the result of 5-reductase inhibitors such as
[48] or Fenugreek Edit (/edit/supplements Finasteride /Maca/) History (/history /Maca/) Discussion (/discussion/Maca/)

(/supplements/Fenugreek/), suggesting no

interaction on the level of the 5-AR enzyme.

Back to Top promising results in Red Maca, possibly as potent as finasteride in Highly (http://examine.com /supplements/Maca/)

reducing prostate size (biomarker for prostate cancer risk); studies need to be replicated outside or Peru (producer and exporter of Red Maca, this issue may be similar to Policosanol (/supplements/Policosanol/) and Cuba) and conducted in humans

The role of Benzyl Glucosinolate (apparently active ingredient in suppressing prostatic growth) in relation to spermatogenesis is not known, as the above studies suggest that it does not play a role but passively allows testosterone to induce seminal vesicle size while the only other herb expressing Benzyl Glucosinolate, Tropaeolum tuberosum, is known to suppress spermatogenesis[49] (although causation was not placed on the
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active ingredient). Some authors suspect polyphenolics may play a role,

SUMMARY Benzyl TO Glucosinolate is the systemic name for the glucosinolate known as THINGS Glucotropaeolin, which tends to comprise 80-90% of total glucosinolates by KNOW weight; surprisingly, the content of Glucotropaeolin has been found to not HOW TO TAKE differ significantly between ecotypes of Maca, with one study reporting HUMAN EFFECT contents of 81.37% ,80.30%, and 80.25% for Red, Yellow, and Black MATRIX respectively.[10] COMPLETE Additionally, Red Maca has been found to suppress the increase in SUMMARY prostate Zinc (/supplements/Zinc/) levels which facilitate the conversion of CITATIONS
Testosterone (/topics/Testosterone/) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT); this study also found significant correlations between prostatic zinc levels and the prostate weight, although the correlation coefficient was r=0.76.[51] Quick Summary:
Maca Although (Lepidium Red Maca is associated with decreased prostate size more than the

but currently this is not assessed.[50]

other it seems this may not be due to the Benzyl Glucosinolate content Meyenii ) is astrains, vegetable
in the as broccoli this family does not differ significantly between ecotypes; possibly a currently resembling a turnip, it is unknown molecule (or bias in studies form Peru) are to blame/credit grown in Peru where it has a history of usage as an9.3. aphrodisiac. It Testicles appears to benefit both genders in this regard, In a study on lead-induced and is not known to 35 days and Maca interact with any

testicular damage where rats were fed lead for

was introduced on day 18, it was demonstrated that

2.2g/kg hormone.

Maca daily (boiled hypocotyl extract) acted to attenuate the

reduction in seminal vesicle weight that occurred from lead exposure while preserving the weight of the testicle.[41]
Edit (/edit/supplements In regards spermatogenesis, /Maca/) History to (/history /Maca/) Discussion more beneficial (/discussion/Maca/)

it has been reported that Black Maca has

effects on spermatogenesis relative to Yellow and Red[42]

as to the Back Topincrease in daily sperm production seen with Yellow and Red (http://examine.com sometimes fails to reach statistical significance.[11] A comparative study
/supplements/Maca/)

between different extracts of Black Maca over 7 days noted that the ethyl acetate fraction was the most effective fraction for increasing daily sperm production although the chloroform extract appeared to be the one that increased sperm count in the vas deferans while both were equally effective in increasing sperm count in the epididymus.[52] In general, improvements in daily sperm production can be seen from day 1 of supplementation in rats[42] and improvements in sperm count can be seen independent of increased daily sperm production.[53] These increases in daily sperm production appear to be related to increasing the onset of spermatogenesis.[54][55][56]

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Maca is also able to reverse suppression of spermatogenesis and sperm

SUMMARY through Maca administration[41] and has been associated with preserving THINGS TO in spermatogenesis induced by high elevation.[6] the reduction KNOW Interestingly, this conclusion could be an explanation as to why Maca has HOW TO such anTAKE impressive history of fertility usage as it is grown exclusively in HUMAN heightsEFFECT of 4000-4500m above sea level while this study was conducted at MATRIX 4340m.[4] COMPLETE Maca in general appears to be somewhat protective of the testicles, while the SUMMARY variant of Black Maca appears to be most effective in increasing the production CITATIONS
of sperm (and theoretically fertility)

count induced by lead even when lead exposure precedes and continues

Quick Summary:
Maca (Lepidium

10. Safety and Toxicology

Edit (/edit-section/supplements/Maca/?section=Safety+and+Toxicology)

Meyenii ) is a vegetable in the broccoli family

resembling a turnip, it is grown in Peru where it 10.1. General has a history of usage as significant toxicity anNo aphrodisiac. It appears benefit both root, to with one study genders in this regard, and is not known to have tolerated interact with any hormone.

has been reported in human consumption with Maca

reporting that 0.6g Maca for 90 days was associated

with an increased serum ALT and diastolic blood pressure.[37] and rats up to 5g/kg bodyweight without adverse effects.[57] In human trials of up to 3g of Maca a day is well-tolerated, and the traditional method of boiling up to 20g of Maca to make into juice has not currently been associated with much toxicity.[58]

Edit (/edit/supplements /Maca/) History (/history

/Maca/) Discussion Not too much toxicological information on Maca (/discussion/Maca/) Back to Top (http://examine.com 10.2. Pregnancy /supplements/Maca/)

Currently, the only evidence investigating a link between Maca consumption and Pregnancy is one conducted in mice where 1g/kg lyophilized (2.16g/kg dry weight) Maca, correlating to traditional usage amounts and consumed prior to and shortly after fertilization, noted increased litter size without any influence on gender ratios and not associated with any adverse pup morphology or viability.[59] This was independent of any increases in implantation rates, the fertility index, or pup survival; all of which were similar between groups. No human evidence on safety nor adverse reports appear to exist.

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SUMMARY THINGS TO KNOW HOW TO TAKE HUMAN EFFECT MATRIX COMPLETE SUMMARY CITATIONS

Currently not known if it is safe for pregnancy or not, but appears to be somewhat promising to enhance female fertility based on animal studies

Scientific Support & Reference Citations

References

Quick knee: a randomized controlled trial {ISRCTN25438351} (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17974032). BMC Complement Altern Med. (2007) Summary:
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21977053). Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. (2012) Maca (Lepidium

1. Mehta K, et al. Comparison of glucosamine sulfate and a polyherbal supplement for the relief of osteoarthritis of the

2. Gonzales GF. Ethnobiology and Ethnopharmacology of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a Plant from the Peruvian Highlands 3. Maca: From traditional food crop to energy and libido stimulant (http://rawganik.com/studies/MacaLibidoEnergy.pdf) Meyenii ) is a vegetable

in the broccoli family of chronic diseases (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15037892). Biomed Pap Med Fac Univ Palacky Olomouc resembling aRepub turnip, it is Czech . (2003) 5. in ) Physiological studies grown Peru where it and determination of chromosome number in Maca, Lepidium meyenii (Brassicaceae) has a history of usage as 6. Gonzales GF, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on spermatogenesis in male rats acutely exposed to high an aphrodisiac. It m) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14709147). J Endocrinol. (2004) altitude (4340
(http://www.jstor.org/discover/10.2307/4255832)

4. Valentov K, Ulrichov J. Smallanthus sonchifolius and Lepidium meyenii - prospective Andean crops for the prevention

7. Ranilla LG, et al . Phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity and in vitro inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant appears to benefit both for hyperglycemia and hypertension of commonly used medicinal plants, herbs and spices in Latin America genders in this regard,

and 8. is not known Tellez MR, etto al. Composition of the essential oil of Lepidium meyenii (Walp) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed interact/12169308). with any Phytochemistry. (2002)
9. Effect of three different cultivars of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on learning and depression in ovariectomized mice hormone. (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1534053/) 10. Glucosinolate content and myrosinase activity evolution in three maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) ecotypes during preharvest, harvest and postharvest drying (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814611002780) 11. Gonzales C, et al. Effect of short-term and long-term treatments with three ecotypes of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on Edit (/edit/supplements spermatogenesis in rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16174556). J Ethnopharmacol. (2006) 12. Gonzales GF, et al. Red maca (Lepidium meyenii) reduced prostate size in rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /Maca/) History (/history /15661081). Reprod Biol Endocrinol. (2005) /Maca/) Discussion 13. Muhammad I, et al. Constituents of Lepidium meyenii 'maca' (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11754952). (/discussion/Maca/) (2002) Phytochemistry . Back Top BL, et al. Effect of a lipidic extract from lepidium meyenii on sexual behavior in mice and rats 14. to Zheng (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10736519). Urology . (2000) (http://examine.com 15. Zhao J, et al. New alkamides from maca (Lepidium meyenii) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15686421). J Agric /supplements/Maca/) Food Chem . (2005) 16. McCollom MM, et al. Analysis of macamides in samples of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) by HPLC-UV-MS/MS (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16315492). Phytochem Anal. (2005) 17. Cui B, et al. Imidazole alkaloids from Lepidium meyenii (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12932133). J Nat Prod. (2003) 18. Clment C, et al. Influence of colour type and previous cultivation on secondary metabolites in hypocotyls and leaves of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walpers) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20355123). J Sci Food Agric . (2010) 19. Gonzales GF, et al. Effect of two different extracts of red maca in male rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17334591). Asian J Androl. (2007) 20. Gonzales GF, Gonzales-Castaeda C. The Methyltetrahydro-{beta}-Carbolines in Maca (Lepidium meyenii) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18955346). Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. (2009) 21. Piacente S, et al. Investigation of the tuber constituents of maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/12236688). J Agric Food Chem . (2002) 22. Gonzales GF, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12472620). Andrologia. (2002) 23. Cicero AF, Bandieri E, Arletti R. Lepidium meyenii Walp. improves sexual behaviour in male rats independently from its action on spontaneous locomotor activity (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11297856). J Ethnopharmacol. (2001) 24. Lentz A, et al. Acute and chronic dosing of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on male rat sexual behavior

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20185303). Bioresour Technol. (2010)

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(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17367428). J Sex Med. (2007) 25. Spector IP, Carey MP, Steinberg L. The sexual desire inventory: development, factor structure, and evidence of reliability (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8880651). J Sex Marital Ther. (1996) 26. Stone M, et al. A pilot investigation into the effect of maca supplementation on physical activity and sexual desire in sportsmen (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19781622). J Ethnopharmacol. (2009) 27. Zenico T, et al. Subjective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) extract on well-being and sexual performances in patients with mild erectile dysfunction: a randomised, double-blind clinical trial (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /19260845). Andrologia. (2009) 28. Labbate LA, Lare SB. Sexual dysfunction in male psychiatric outpatients: validity of the Massachusetts General Hospital Sexual Functioning Questionnaire (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11408842). Psychother Psychosom . (2001) 29. McGahuey CA, et al. The Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX): reliability and validity (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/10693114). J Sex Marital Ther. (2000) 30. Dording CM, et al. A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18801111). CNS Neurosci Ther. (2008) 31. Brooks NA, et al. Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/18784609). Menopause. (2008) 32. Rubio J, et al. Aqueous and hydroalcoholic extracts of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) improve scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17543435). Food Chem Toxicol. (2007) 33. Rubio J, et al. Aqueous Extract of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on Memory Impairment Induced by Ovariectomy in Mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18955369). Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. (2011) 34. Herraiz T, Chaparro C. Analysis of monoamine oxidase enzymatic activity by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography and inhibition by beta-carboline alkaloids occurring in foods and plants (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/16386263). J Chromatogr A. (2006) 35. Pino-Figueroa A, Nguyen D, Maher TJ. Neuroprotective effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20633111). Ann N Y Acad Sci. (2010) 36. Rubio J, et al. Dose-response effect of black maca (Lepidium meyenii) in mice with memory impairment induced by Maca (Lepidium ethanol (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21780878). Toxicol Mech Methods . (2011) 37. Valentov K, et al. Maca (Lepidium meyenii) and yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) in combination with silymarin as Meyenii ) is a vegetable food supplements: in vivo safety assessment (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18054420). Food Chem Toxicol. in the broccoli family (2008) resembling a R, turnip, it isinfluence of maca (Lepidium meyenii) on antioxidant status, lipid and glucose metabolism in rat 38. Vecera et al. The (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17333395). Plant Foods Hum Nutr. (2007) grown in Peru where it 39. Gonzales GF, et al . Effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca), a root with aphrodisiac and fertility-enhancing properties, on has a history of usage as serum reproductive hormone levels in adult healthy men (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12525260). J an aphrodisiac. It Endocrinol. (2003) appears to benefit both 40. Bogani P, et al. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) does not exert direct androgenic activities (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/16239088). genders in this regard, J Ethnopharmacol. (2006) 41. Rubio J, et al. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reversed the lead acetate induced -- damage on reproductive function in male and is not known to rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16510228). Food Chem Toxicol. (2006) interact with any 42. Gonzales GF, et al. Effect of Black maca (Lepidium meyenii) on one spermatogenic cycle in rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16961569). Andrologia. (2006) hormone. 43. Srikugan L, Sankaralingam A, McGowan B. First case report of testosterone assay-interference in a female taking maca (Lepidium meyenii) (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22700073). BMJ Case Rep. (2011) 44. Valentov K, et al. The in vitro biological activity of Lepidium meyenii extracts (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed /16528448). Cell Biol Toxicol. (2006) Edit (/edit/supplements 45. Zhang Y, et al. Effect of ethanol extract of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat /Maca/) History (/history (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16466876). J Ethnopharmacol. (2006) 46. Gonzales C, et al . Effects of different varieties of Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on bone structure in ovariectomized rats /Maca/) Discussion (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20616517). Forsch Komplementmed. (2010) (/discussion/Maca/) 47. Gasco M, et al. Dose-response effect of Red Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on benign prostatic hyperplasia induced by Back to Top testosterone enanthate (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17289361). Phytomedicine. (2007) 48. Roehrborn CG, et al. Effects of finasteride on serum testosterone and body mass index in men with benign prostatic (http://examine.com hyperplasia (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14624915). Urology . (2003) /supplements/Maca/) 49. Crdenas-Valencia I, et al. Tropaeolum tuberosum (Mashua) reduces testicular function: effect of different treatment times (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19032684). Andrologia. (2008) 50. Gonzales GF, et al. Antagonistic effect of Lepidium meyenii (red maca) on prostatic hyperplasia in adult mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18477205). Andrologia. (2008) 51. Gonzales C, et al. Effect of red maca (Lepidium meyenii) on prostate zinc levels in rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21762188). Andrologia. (2012) 52. Yucra S, et al. Effect of different fractions from hydroalcoholic extract of Black Maca (Lepidium meyenii) on testicular function in adult male rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17669402). Fertil Steril. (2008) 53. Gasco M, Aguilar J, Gonzales GF. Effect of chronic treatment with three varieties of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on reproductive parameters and DNA quantification in adult male rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17683465). Andrologia. (2007) 54. Gonzales GF, et al. Effect of alcoholic extract of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on testicular function in male rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14695987). Asian J Androl. (2003) 55. Bustos-Obregon E, Yucra S, Gonzales GF. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) reduces spermatogenic damage induced by a single dose of malathion in mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15685355). Asian J Androl. (2005) 56. Gonzales GF, et al. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (maca) roots on spermatogenesis of male rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11561196). Asian J Androl. (2001) 57. Chung F, et al. Dose-response effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) aqueous extract on testicular function and weight of

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different organs in adult rats (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15763375). J Ethnopharmacol. (2005) 58. Shin BC, et al. Maca (L. meyenii) for improving sexual function: a systematic review (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov /pubmed/20691074). BMC Complement Altern Med. (2010) 59. Ruiz-Luna AC, et al. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15869705). Reprod Biol Endocrinol. (2005)

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Maca (Lepidium Meyenii ) is a vegetable in the broccoli family resembling a turnip, it is Page last updated: grown in Peru where it

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